Imiquimod topical and Itching: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2016

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was diagnosed with GW in my early thirties. I had three little warts, and the doctor prescribed Aldara. I used it three times a week as directed. The first day, I did notice some intense itching, but that was it. I did not have burning or trouble urinating like most people have experienced. After a week of using Aldara, I've noticed the warts were fading. The medication works pretty fast if you have small warts. The only negative side effect I experienced was, of course, itching, but that was short-lived, and I developed a tiny anal fissure from the medication. Not sure why because I've never had one until I used Aldara. I would recommend anyone to use the medication for GW. Just please use it as directed, otherwise, you may experience discomfort."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I found out I have HPV about a week ago. I just started the cream. I noticed a change in color for my genital warts (GW), which I think is a good sign. I have GW on my labia and perineum. The itching is almost unbearable. But what I’ve done is put Gold Bond medicated powder on for the itching, and it definitely helps soothe the itch."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I’m currently using the imiquimod for the past three weeks every other day on HPV. I’m also going against the rules and kinda keeping it on all day until I shower the following night. So it’s being kept on for pretty much a solid 24 hours. (I don’t know how effective it is keeping it on that long or the negative effects of it on my body.) I’m lucky enough to not really experience many side effects. There was a mild itch, my anus is red (but that’s normal from using this product). The only thing I can say that was horrible was in week two when it finally kicked in, there was a funky smell. It went away when I showered, but I could smell the funk when I went to shower next. Now I’m on week three, I don’t have that funky smell anymore, and most of my warty growths are all gone or super tiny. I’ll continue to use this product until everything is all cleared, which honestly, if it’s on this track, maybe a week or two longer."

• 123...
• June 21, 2017

For Human Papilloma Virus "I discovered two genital warts, one on the shaft and another at the base. I went to get them frozen off and was clear for a few months, but then they returned, and I had developed up to about seven. I went back and used the liquid nitrogen treatment and was prescribed the imiquimod cream. I have been using it for the past four months now and have not seen any progress other than some irritation, redness, and scabbing. I am almost out of my prescription and have another appointment lined up to make another attempt. It has been very difficult on me emotionally and on my relationship with my partner and hope it will eventually work and have it all go away. I am trying to be patient, but there really isn't much else I can do."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2014

For Human Papilloma Virus "I have some tiny genital warts on the inner lips of my vagina. I was so scared to apply this cream! Then I decided to look at the reviews on this website! Let me tell you, if you do have genital warts, apply this cream as soon as you get it. My warts are still there, but I do see progress. The first time I applied it, I was itching like crazy, but I guess that was just my body adjusting to it. After that, today will be my 4th day applying it, and nothing wrong has happened! Hopefully, the process goes by quickly!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Condylomata Acuminata "Been struggling with 2 anal warts since the beginning of 2020, one big and the other small. Been using podophyllin to burn the warts, but they kept coming back. Recently, I started using Aldara, and within 2 weeks of using it (8 applications), both warts disappeared. I couldn't believe it. I didn't have major side effects, just minor itching some days, but nothing bad. The cream does work. I just hope the results will last longer and not have warts back any time soon."

• Sum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I contracted HPV almost 2 years ago, had no symptoms, and in the last few months noticed I had a rather significant cluster of warts almost pop up out of nowhere around my anus and a few on the skin between anus and vagina. I called the doc, and they gave me a script to apply 3x a week at bedtime, then rinse off in the AM. So far, I’m on my 4th application (beginning of week 2), and I’m starting to have some localized symptoms. I noticed from the first application the following morning before showering, the warts were swollen, not painful or itchy, just swollen, and it seemed the following day after applying I was having some mild lower back pain, related/ not related, not sure. At this point, my only other symptom that just started after my 4th application is itching and some pain/irritation at the site. I’ve been applying Vaseline to help with the irritation. But I’m continuing on because I guess that’s a reaction to the medication working and hopeful this will be a memory soon."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Tomorrow will be my 4th day of using Aldara. I had extreme body aches, headaches, and horrible nausea. While doing my research, I found that Aldara has this side effect, but I do also have a bladder infection (not related). My vagina is extremely red, swollen, itchy, and it looks as if my skin is melting. Let me not even get started on the burning when I pee, bear in mind I have a bladder infection, so my urine is very concentrated, so it burns so bad! My warts are going down, and I only take it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, skipping the weekend. My treatment should last 4 weeks, but this pain is worse than a bad case of thrush. I hope it gets rid of all of my warts."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had a very small, hard but painless bump on my perineum. After two weeks, it grew a little bit and was very wart-like, so I became concerned and went to the gyno. When he saw it, he was very nonchalant about it; he even suggested I leave it alone because more than likely it’d disappear on its own. I insisted I’d prefer to get medication, so he prescribed Aldara. He did confirm I indeed had contracted HPV, which caused the wart. I did a Pap smear after, and he suggested I get the vaccine for HPV. The medication worked wonders! I used one sachet for 6 days in total — by using it every other day; you really only need a very tiny amount. I had no irritation, itching, or burning. By the 5th use, the wart was barely visible."

• AMC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2021

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I decided to landscape my nether region for the first time in a long time around 10 weeks ago and discovered a couple of GW on my perineum, introitus, and vestibule. I was devastated. I have been celibate for over 3 years, so I know I contracted it more than 3 years ago. I got my first Gardasil 9 vaccine and started treatment with Condylox for 4 weeks. The warts decreased in size, but nothing significant. I got my second Gardasil 9 shot and decided to try Aldara. For the first 5 weeks, I noticed nothing except for INTENSE ITCHING and BURNING after the 2nd week. I began doing an apple cider vinegar bath before the treatment (to soften the hard warts), and now I am on week 6, about to start week 7, and all of the warts have started to shrink (tiny, tiny) and are almost all gone. Jesus and Lidocaine 5% have helped me get through this treatment. Aldara feels, after week 2, like my absolute worst yeast infection multiplied by 1000."

• Sta...
• June 23, 2017

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am currently using Zyclara for a basal cell in my ear. I have had this before about 7 years ago and used Aldara at the time that completely cured it. I was prescribed this cream this time at my doc's recommendation because it is a little milder than Aldara and the skin is thinner in the ear. I have been using this now for 3 weeks without any breaks and have 3 more weeks to go as per my derm. I haven't had any flu-like symptoms, and side effects are just on the treated area: extreme swelling, raw skin, oozing, redness, slight burning, and scabbing. I started with one spot that looked like a pimple, and with the cream came many more. Once I'm done, I am hoping, obviously, that my basal cell is gone and my ear looks like an ear again."

• Idk...
• April 22, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "Idk yet. I've been using the cream on 3 small (1/8') GW on my penis for about 5-6 weeks now and haven't really seen significant improvement. I can't say it doesn't work, as there has been a slight improvement, but as of yet I'm still unsure if it's going to work for me, which isn't unheard of in some people. The recommended usage prescribed by my doctor was 2 times a week, for up to 12 weeks. I've been applying it every 3rd day instead. After reading some of the reviews, I think I'll start applying it every other day. I've had none of the burning or itching described. After the first week, I did notice the skin was breaking, but that seems to have stopped."

• Sht...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had a pretty severe case of warts under the foreskin, made worse by early misdiagnosis and steroid cream (don't do that). I started Aldara 5% 2.5 weeks ago, applying 3 days per week. First week nothing, just irritation, itching, but no change. Week 2, some pain came in, minor blisters, and clear fluid discharge. Between week 2 and week 3, there has been a 50% reduction in the area and size of the warts. Very pleased so far. Will report back in another couple of weeks."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2022

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I got diagnosed with genital warts a few weeks ago. My doctor recommended Aldara. I thought the cost was unbearable for me, but I had to try it out as I had been told it's the best you can have for sensitive areas. I applied as the doctor had recommended, ensuring I maintained cleanliness down there to avoid infection. I had a really bad reaction to it (sores, itching, inflammation, and pain), but I knew I wanted to clear the warts. By the second week, the small warts had cleared, and now I'm only dealing with the warts on my labia minora. This cream is doing wonders. I'd thought my life of intimacy had come to an end, but now I'm hopeful to also clear the virus."

• Pam...
• August 9, 2022

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "On my last week of treatment for BCC, no major problems, an itchy small spot turned into about half my forehead, large crusty sores peeling, and what was expected. Seems to be doing its job after 5 days on, 2 days off for 6 weeks. Yes, looked nasty, but all good."

• Tpm...
• August 10, 2016

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I have been using this cream on the front of my ear for a week. There is swelling, itching, crusting, and so much oozing it will drip down my face. Around day 5, I started feeling tired and weak. Then, day 6 and 7, I have felt like I have the flu. I feel awful. Lymph nodes seem swollen, and my throat is sore. My lower back hurt as well one day, but not every day. I was worried the fluid dripped down into my ear canal. My doctor told me to stop using it and come back to see him in 3 weeks."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I’m an 18-year-old girl who got diagnosed with low-risk HPV 5 days ago. After a lot of crying and screaming at my ex-boyfriend who infected me, I’m slowly getting used to the idea of having genital warts. I am unsure how many I have, but they are located near my vaginal opening and are so swollen to the point it is swollen shut. My warts are extremely itchy, and I apply pressure to soothe the itching momentarily, but of course, it doesn’t help long. The first night I applied this cream, it wasn’t too bad, but the next day it burned a lot. The following day, when I did not apply the medication, there was barely any itching, and the warts appeared to be going down! Yet, that night (Thursday night) I applied the medication, and Friday it burned and itched ALL day. I work in a restaurant and walk around nonstop for 4-6 hours each shift, and the warts got so irritated to the point I started crying and had to leave early. This morning it feels better, and the bumps seem to be drying out."

• Hkg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2015

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I found that I had some warts over my vagina two months ago, they looked bad and big. I was scared, and I started to use this cream. I didn't see any results after the first treatment, and I didn't have any side effects, it was really discouraging. So for the second treatment, I used this cream with salicylic acid on my warts. It burned my vagina like crazy when I was using the acid, but it works! I applied the acid three times a day and used this cream at night. The warts started getting small, and after a month, some side effects appeared, like itching like crazy at night, but they were completely gone in a month! And now, there are no warts on my vagina, and I'm watching to see if the warts come back in these three months."

• Shy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2017

For Molluscum Contagiosum "I had sex with somebody I had known for years, and two weeks later I had grown 4 bumps. They weren't inside my vagina, they were on the outside of it, mostly on the top. I got nervous and went to the clinic. The doctor kept telling me it's nothing, it will go away. So I left it alone. Two months later, it was still there, so I went back at least two more times to the clinic, and they said the same thing. Fortunately, 2 of them went away, but I hate looking at the rest, and it spread a little. I have had it for at least 6 months. So I decided to go to a different clinic. They prescribed imiquimod. I've been using it for about a month now, and it kind of has been working. It's clearing very slowly, but it gets very red and itchy sometimes, so I put aloe."

• Cep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Human Papilloma Virus "Okay, I contracted HPV from a former partner that I trusted, but anyway, I saw white clusters that kind of looked like discharge, and I went to my OB-GYN, and she thought I was having a yeast infection and gave me medication. That didn’t work, so I went back, and she put vinegar on the clusters and boom, they started flaring up, so she prescribed me imiquimod and it worked just fine, so I stopped because I thought they were all gone, and a few weeks went by, and I checked my area, and they were back, but it was more and even on my anus! So I started being consistent with it, and then one day my whole vaginal area and anus were red and itching like crazy! It was so hard to wipe down there, so I used a spray bottle and baby wipes, but the cream worked, you just have to be consistent with it or else it’ll come back. Now all my warts are gone, and I finally am back to normal."

• Tia...
• February 27, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "So I found out I had anogenital warts about two weeks ago and was given a prescription about a week ago. I was expecting to have to use the cream for the full 4 weeks that my gyno prescribed me, but I already look and feel completely clear. This product was very effective for me. The first few days there was intense irritation/itchiness. I was tempted to stop using it because I was so itchy! But my boyfriend suggested I finish out the week before stopping/contacting my gyno, and I’m glad I did!"

• Bra...
• August 7, 2018

For Keratosis "It's a relief to find here that all the side effects others have listed I also am experiencing. I went 7 or 8 days before taking 2 days off. I'm bald and so, for now, the treatment area is all on the top of my head. I have about 30 growing red bumps; the pain and itching are manageable. The worst part is flu-like symptoms, low energy (can barely take care of daily essentials), loss of appetite, and inability to sleep (this side effect just started last night, so hoping it subsides quickly). I'm about 2 weeks in now with 3 or 4 weeks to go. Yes, it's highly unpleasant for many, but still, as others have commented, perhaps the best alternative to lesser effective treatments. BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE: If possible, have someone that will grocery shop for you and walk the dogs, etc. There will be days when you're too weak and nauseated to do this if you're like me."

• CDW...
• February 10, 2018

For Keratosis "I am on day 11 and had to call 'uncle' last night. My doc had different instructions than what I am reading. It was for every day for 2 weeks. At day 7, he saw me and stated that I look like I may be one that has the more severe reaction. He stated for me to try and make it to the two weeks, but if not, just as long as I could stand it. It was for a lesion on my nose. I look like Rudolph, yes. It is very red, swollen, and blistery, yes. The skin is also thickening, and I look horrendous. I do have the flu-like symptoms and the very swollen glands, but what is making me stop is I started getting that histamine reaction you get when you are having an allergic reaction and everything got super itchy. With my nose already super swollen and my neck swollen from the swollen glands, I am not going to take any chances with breathing difficulty. My hope is that I have done enough treatment for this to work. If it works, it will be worth it, but I will be very reluctant if I have to do it again."

• ste...
• September 1, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I only had like 4 warts at the beginning of the treatment. After the 1st dose, it went up to 6, but the itchiness was gone. I only felt tired. I followed the instructions and only applied to the area that was affected and used cotton undergarments. I was VERY careful, made sure I had full visibility of where I was applying the cream, and made sure the cream was absorbed before moving on. Only used what was necessary and disposed of the leftovers. At the 2nd week, I did take some time off because my skin felt sensitive, but after a few days, I started again and realized that half of them were gone. I read that you could use salicylic acid from OTC meds, but have in mind it is not for genital warts because it's too strong for the skin in the genital area. I bought it anyway and was very careful when applying it as pre-treatment and then used the cream as before, and in one week the last 3 'big' persistent ones are gone."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I’ve had this applied in two batches now, and it doesn’t seem to have any effect at all on my warts. I’ve gotten a few side effects of itchy skin on my scrotum, but overall, a little disappointed. Diet isn’t bad, but also not great, so wondering if that is influencing the outcome too."